Israeli navy kidnaps two Palestinian children and uncle fishing in Gazan waters

by Radhika S.
12 November 2011 | International Solidarity Movement, Gaza

Mohamed and Abdul Qader Baker - Click here for more images

Seventeen-year-old Abdul Qader Baker still has no idea why the Israeli navy surrounded his small fishing boat at 4 a.m. Thursday morning, ordered him, his 17-year-old cousin Mohamed Baker, and his uncle, Arafat Baker, to strip off their clothes, stand shivering in their underwear for an hour and a half and ultimately forced the group to Ashod.  The two high school students were released approximately twelve hours later, but their uncle remains in Israeli detention.

“I was so scared and it was so cold,” Abdul Qader reported.  After the Israeli navy ordered the group to take off their clothes, Abdul Qader stated that “for two hours I had to stand, not moving, while [Israeli] snipers pointed their guns at me.”

Abdul Qader and Mohamed are in the twelfth grade, and often help their families fish when there’s a school holiday, as was the case on Thursday.  According to Abdul Qader,“[w]e went to retrieve the nets we had dropped and then suddenly I saw the Israeli gun boat in front of us, shining a big light into our boat.”

While the Israeli navy forced Mohamed and Arafat to jump into the sea, and swim towards the warship, Abdul Qader was told he could retrieve his fishing net and go home.  “But when I started taking up the net, the Israelis opened fire and told me to leave the net and jump in the water.”
On the gunboat, Mohamed and Abdul Qader reported being blindfolded until they reached the port of Ashdod.   “They took me to the harbor and when they removed my blindfold, I saw 40 soldiers. I was afraid and terrified,” added Mohamed. At Ashod, Mohamed was examined by a doctor, while an Israeli soldier photographed him.

Israeli authorities subsequently placed metal cuffs on the hands and feet of the two boys and eventually transferred them to Erez where they interrogated them for several hours.

At Erez, Israeli soldiers placed Mohamed and Abdul Qader in separate rooms and showed them various maps of Gaza, asking them to identify their houses and the names of their uncles and brothers.  The Israelis also asked both boys to identify Hamas training locations, where Hamas people lived, were asked about a monument to the 9 Turks killed by the Israeli navy on the Mavi Marmara in 2010, whether the prisoners released in the recent exchange were staying at a particular hotel in Gaza City, and about open spaces used for a playground and a fish farm.

Israeli authorities released the boys at around 5 p.m. Their uncle, 28-year-old Arafat Baker, is still detained.  “I have no idea why they arrested me,” said Abdul Qader. “I didn’t cross the 3-mile line,” he added referring to the fishing limit Israel has imposed on Palestinian fishermen in Gaza.  “The Israelis are criminals. This is no way to treat human beings. It took me hours to stand on my feet [because of the cold], I couldn’t move my leg.”  Abdul Qader added,“I don’t know yet if I will go fishing again. I need time to mentally recover from this.”

Abdul Qader’s right side and chest still hurt due to hours of standing in the cold and being forced into the sea. Israeli authorities did not permit the boys to call their families or an attorney, nor did they ever tell the boys why they had been detained or what laws they were alleged to have violated.
Updated on November 13, 2011
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/11/israeli-navy-kidnaps-two-palestinian-children-and-uncle-fishing-in-gazan-waters/

Sleeping on Stones

A Palestinian dramatic feature film set in Hebron.

What We Need 

We need US$750,000 to bring the film to full completion. This includes the total costs for production (filming in Hebron), post-production (editing in the US) and some distribution needs (getting the word out about the film). We'll be working with the best in film production talent and cast in both Palestine and the US. If we don't reach our entire goal by our deadline, the production will be delayed until we attain the full funds. 

Whatever you can donate takes us closer to our goal, no matter how big or small. 

Just click on "contribute now" to the right, 

select your donation amount and perk, if applicable.

Sleeping on Stones - The Quest to Make This Film

Sleeping on Stones will be a feature-length Palestinian drama, to be shot in the West Bank city of Hebron. It will be the first dramatic feature film made in Hebron.


The film above is the vision trailer we shot in Hebron last June. We wanted to convey the story and the emotion of the film to bring it to you, our supporting audience.


We have been trying to raise funds for Sleeping on Stones for 10 years now, via grants, international finance, co-productions, production companies, competitions and private investors. As there is scant finance for Palestinian films in the global film industry and the major studios have no interest in producing such a film, we believe:

It's up to our audience now. And that's you!

The Sleeping on Stones - The Story

In Hebron, three 10-year-old boys come of age during the 1987 Intifada. Hamza is a talented soccer player, Yousef has a voice for the old Arabic ballads, and Jacob is a rebellious Jewish-American settler who is out of place in his new homeland. Their passion for soccer bonds their childhood together but ten years later, their friendship faces obstacles as their lives' adult choices under Israeli occupation begin. 

Sleeping on Stones - The AccoladesThus Far

• 2006 - Screenplay selected for Sundance Institute - Royal Film Commission Jordan's RAWI Screenwriter's Lab

• 2007 - Project selected for the Mediterranean Films Crossing Borders Programme at Cannes Film Festival

• 2010 - Project selected for the Thessaloniki International Film Festival's Crossroads Co-Production Forum
  

• 2010 - Project awarded fiscal sponsorship by the New York Foundation for the Arts
  

• 2011 - Trailer awarded the PomGrant by the Pomegranate Film Festival
  

About the Writer-Director

Sleeping on Stones' Writer-Director Nicole Ballivian's last feature film was a US-Palestinian comedy, Driving to Zigzigland (2006), which won the Russian Cinematographers and Film Critics Award, Best Actor and Best Feature Film Awards at Amal Film Fest (Spain) and the Arabian Sights Audience Award at FilmFest DC. Nicole was selected as a screenwriting fellow for the Sundance Institute - Royal Film Commission Jordan's RAWI Screenwriter's Lab for her screenplay, Sleeping on Stones.  Nicole's 20-year film and television production background includes work for Warner Bros, Universal Pictures and independent film. Nicole graduated in Film from American University in Washington DC in 1996.

Other Ways You Can Help

1) Post the link for this campaign on Facebook & Twitter - Post it on your personal wall and other pertinent groups you think may have interest.  


2) Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sleepingonstonesfilm and follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sleepingonstone and ask others to follow too! 


3) Sign up for our email list at http://www.sleepingonstones.com


You can't imagine the lengths your post about this campaign will travel to via Facebook and Twitter. We really value your spreading the word!

What You Get

We've got some great incentives lined up on the right. They're based on donation amounts and some of them are limited.

Unreleased Marcel Khalife Music: The renowned Marcel Khalife will be composing the Sleeping on Stones film score and after the composition completion, we'll have it available for those who meet the challenge. 

Kuffiyas from the Khalil: Due to globalization's effect on mass kuffiya production and sales, the Hirbawi Factory in Hebron is the last kuffiya factory in Palestine. You can support Hebron by donating to get an authentic kuffiya straight from the Hirbawi Factory.

Hebron Greeting Cards: Our Director of Photography, Hal Haug from Norway, has shot amazing stills that capture the beauty and character of Hebron. We'll be offering greeting cards that feature these photos, for use in any occasion, blank inside.

A copy of the Sleeping on Stones DVD once the film is available for DVD distribution.

Two Tickets to the Sleeping on Stones US Premiere: Five donors who match the goal amount will get two VIP tickets to the film's US premiere, whether at the first film festival, theatrical or other screening. Transportation and accommodation not included.

Screening with the Director: Two donors who match the goal amount will be able to screen the film at the venue of their choice with the director present. Venue costs not included. Limited to within the US only.

A Day on The Set: Two donors who match the goal amount will be able to spend a day on the set in Hebron, shadowing the director. Travel or accommodation costs not provided.

Tax Deduction

For those making a large contribution who would like to have their donation tax-deducted, we have the ability to do so via our fiscal sponsor, the New York Foundation for the Arts. Please contact info@sleepingonstones.com for more information.

Inquiries

For any questions, please feel free to contact info@sleepingonstones.com. Sign up on our mailing list on our website at http://www.sleepingonstones.com.

 http://www.indiegogo.com/sleepingonstones

Int’l delegation in Gaza soon to issue declaration against blockade

[ 12/11/2011 - 08:29 AM ]


GAZA, (PIC)– About 200 parliamentary and political figures from different countries are expected to arrive in the besieged Gaza Strip on 21 November, according to a spokesman for the European campaign to end Gaza siege.

Spokesman for the campaign Rami Abdo told Al-Kitab satellite channel on Thursday that these figures would visit Gaza as one delegation to issue the universal declaration against Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The delegation will represents all continents with participation from the US, South Africa, Europe, Asia and Arab countries, spokesman Abdo stated, adding that high-level officials from Arab revolutionary councils will be among the participants.

The international delegation will hold a special meeting with Palestinian lawmakers from Gaza and the West Bank during which a statement against Gaza siege and every blockade imposed on any nation will be read. The statement will be deposited later as a universal declaration with the UN human rights council.

The participants are due to flock from their countries into Cairo on 18 of this month before they enter Gaza on a three-day visit during which they will also meet with Palestinian officials and citizens.

Source and more at the Palestinian Information Center

'Israel violates Geneva Conventions'

Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:57AM GMT

An exclusive interview with Henry Norr, Palestine Solidarity Movement, from Berkeley

A prominent political activist says that the Israeli regime's occupation of Palestinian land is an international crime and in violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Press TV has conducted an interview with Henry Norr of the Palestine Solidarity Movement from Berkeley to discuss the issue further.

The following is a transcript of the interview.

Press TV: The US always claims to be the backer of democracy and being against injustices, why are they against Palestinians statehood bid?

Norr: Well, basically, because the US government follows the dictates of the Israelis on everything to do with the Palestine question. That's not new, unfortunately. It's been going on for decades. And this is just the latest installment. It's not really a surprise.

I think Palestinians may have won themselves a moral victory. [Acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas], his speech a few weeks ago in the UN was pretty good. And it was pretty exciting to see many diplomats applauding him and giving the cold shoulder to Netanyahu. That was an accomplishment.

It looks like, from what I'm reading that the US will actually escape without having to exercise a veto. They've managed to strong arm Bosnia, France and a few other countries into either voting “no” or abstaining.

Probably, the Palestinians won't get enough votes to force the US to use its veto. If I were the Palestinians, I would follow the path they used in applying to UNESCO last week.

In particular, I don't understand why they don't apply immediately to the International Criminal Court? I understand that legally, having been admitted to UNESCO, they could apply to the International Criminal Court and then, probably, they would have the votes there because there's no US veto there, and it's not a small group like the Security Council that the US can strong arm.

If they could do that, they could file complaints against the Israelis because everything the Israelis are doing is a crime under international law. The entire occupation is in violation of the Geneva Conventions.

If they could file some complaints, they could at least make the Israelis nervous, and get them tired to travel for fear that some other country would actually honor its actual legal obligations and turn people in, when complaints are filed against them, into the International Criminal Court.

Press TV: Do you think that Palestine will not receive the nine votes, or will it receive the nine votes and the US would use its veto power?

Norr: I don't know. I'm not an insider at the UN. But from what I've been reading, it looks like the British have said for a while that they would abstain.

The French, as you know, have voted in favor of the Palestinians admission to UNESCO, so that gave a lot of people hope that they would vote the same way in the Security Council. If the French did vote that way, I think it would add up to the nine votes that are needed until the US exercised its veto.

But, the latest information seems to be that the French, in spite of having voted “yes” to the admission of Palestine to UNESCO, are going to vote “no” or abstain in the Security Council. My understanding is that means that with the US, Columbia, Bosnia, Germany and a few other countries that have said the same thing - that they would vote “no” or abstain - basically, the Palestinians are probably not going to get the nine votes. That's too bad, in a sense, because it would be much clearer to the world if the US had exercised the veto.

Most people around the world understand that even if the Palestinians are defeated on this without the US exercising the veto, it's still the Americans and the Israelis who are blocking their admission to the UN. But it would be clear if it were the form of the veto.

I'm sorry that if that's not going to happen that it's kind of a disappointment because I thought, at least, in the sense that would be valuable in terms of world public opinion to expose the US. This way, they could blame it on France or others...

GMA/MYA

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/209664.html

Israel’s Dead Sea Claim: Illegal and Absurd

 

An aerial view photo shows large salt formations in the southern part of the Dead Sea, near Ein Boqek, on 10 November 2011. The Dead Sea is one of the 28 sites involved in a international online campaign to select the new Seven Wonders of World Heritage Sites. (Photo: AFP - Menahem Kahana)

By: Serene Assir

Published Monday, November 14, 2011

 

Israel’s failed bid for inclusion of the Dead Sea in the New7Wonders of Nature competition prompted a range of emotions including skepticism, indifference and laughter. “It makes me laugh that Israel thinks it can claim the Dead Sea as its own,” says Jordanian-Palestinian filmmaker Mais Darwazeh. “It is not only historically wrong, it is also illegal.”

“Israel has not only occupied Palestinian land. It has also occupied the air and the water,” said Darwazeh, who is currently working on a new film titled Habibi Byistannani Aala El-Bahr (My Love Awaits Me By the Sea). While the global competition may appear to lack political significance, “inclusion into the list could mean many a push for the tourism industry,” she added.

The Dead Sea shores are divided between Jordanian and Palestinian lands (both 1948 land - current day Israel - and the occupied West bank). “But Palestinians are forbidden from visiting the Dead Sea,” said Islah Jad, a co-founder of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel.

“When my children were younger I used to take them there,” says Jad. As with Jerusalem, Israel has blocked us off from the Dead Sea.”

In more ways than one, Israel’s representation of the Dead Sea - which holds profound cultural, historical and scientific value - mirrors its behavior as an illegal occupier. “Israel has caused irreparable harm to the Dead Sea,” says Jad, who explained that the Hula and Tabariya lakes that feed the sea are fast drying up because of Israel’s abusive exploitation of their waters.

“Each year, the Dead Sea becomes saltier. It is so heavy in mineral content now that even the birds have had to alter their migratory routes, as they can no longer pause at the Dead Sea’s shores,” Jad added. “This bid is all about public relations. It isn’t genuine. Israel has plenty of NGOs whose mandate is to protect the environment, and at the same time, it has done so much to destroy the Palestinian environment.”

For instance, both settlers and the army have consistently destroyed not only Palestinian homes but also trees and, as such, livelihoods.

More broadly, Palestinians’ lack of access to the Dead Sea from the West Bank is coupled with a prohibition on reaching the Mediterranean Sea. To Darwazeh, whose films show a deep preoccupation with the question of Palestinian collective memory, “while children are told their country borders two seas, those living in the West Bank have access to neither.”

But neither Darwazeh nor Jad were keen to over-emphasise opposition to Israel’s claim. “I just think it’s stupid. I really couldn’t care less, because I know that everything that has been stolen will return one day,” said Darwazeh.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/israel%E2%80%99s-dead-sea-claim-illegal-and-absurd?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AlAkhbarEnglish+%28Al+Akhbar+English%29